First were the Persuasion devices, and now the Rhetorical Devices. You’ll likely notice they share quite a few, and those they do are the same.
Word | Definition |
---|---|
acatalectic | having complete or full number of syllables in a poetic line |
accismus | in rhetoric, pretending to refuse something |
adynaton | rhetorical use of a nearly impossible situation for emphasis |
agnomination | rhetorical use of similar-sounding words for effect |
alogism | illogical statement |
anacoenosis | rhetorical questioning of hearers or opponents for opinions on a matter |
anacoluthon | moving to new topic of discussion before finishing current one |
anadiplosis | repeating last word of clause at beginning of next clause |
analepsis | repetition of a word or phrase for emphasis; pleonasm |
anaphora | repetition of a word at beginning of successive phrases for emphasis |
anastrophe | reversing or inverting word order as rhetorical device |
antanaclasis | repetition of key word of phrase as a play on words |
anthorism | counter-definition; redefinition of opponent’s term for rhetorical effect |
anthypophora | refuting an objection using a contrary inference |
anticlimax | expression whose last part is decreased in effect from the prior part |
antimetabole | figure in which words or phrases are repeated but in inverse order |
antimetathesis | inversion of the parts of an antithesis |
antiphrasis | use of words in a sense opposite to literal |
antistrophe | repetition of words in reverse order |
antistrophon | turning of opponent’s own argument against them |
antithesis | contrast of ideas by means of parallel arrangement of words or clauses |
antonomasia | use of descriptive phrase or epithet instead of proper name |
aparithmesis | rhetorical answer to a proposition |
apodosis | main concluding clause in a conditional sentence |
apophasis | saying something by stating that you will not mention it |
aposiopesis | suddenly stopping in the middle of a speech for emphasis |
apostrophe | addressing of a personified thing rhetorically |
asteism | refined irony |
asyndeton | rhetorical device of omitting conjunctions |
atticism | expression characterized by conciseness and elegance |
auxesis | increase in size; hyperbole or augmentation of meaning |
bathos | appearance of the commonplace in elevated matter for rhetorical effect |
catastasis | introductory part of speech where narrator introduces subject |
chiasmus | contrast by parallelism in reverse order |
climax | gradual increase in force of rhetorical expressions or drama of a performance |
consecution | logical sequence or progression of an argument |
diacope | rhetorical separation of a compound word by a third word; tmesis |
diallage | device in which many arguments brought upon one point |
diallelus | circular argument |
dialogism | rhetorical discussion in form of an imaginary dialogue |
diaporesis | rhetorical expression of uncertainty of which of two options to adopt |
diasyrm | rhetorical device of condemning through faint praise |
diatyposis | rhetorically vivid and clear description of a subject |
dicaeology | defending oneself in argument by claiming justification |
dilemma | in rhetoric, forcing a choice between two equally unfavourable choices |
dilogy | intentional ambiguousness |
dinumeration | numbering of rhetorical points one by one |
ecbole | digression |
echolalia | echo-like repetition of another’s words |
echopraxia | echo-like repetition of another’s actions |
ecphasis | explicit declaration or interpretation |
ecphonesis | rhetorical exclamation |
ecphrasis | plain interpretation of a thing |
ekphrasis | description of a work of art as rhetorical exercise |
enantiosis | ironic expression of idea by refuting its contrary |
enthymeme | rhetorical suppression or omission of a premise |
epanadiplosis | sentence which begins and ends with same word |
epanalepsis | repetition |
epanaphora | repetition of same word at beginning of multiple phrases or sentences |
epanastrophe | device where end of one sentence is repeated as beginning of next |
epanodos | recapitulation of chief points in a discourse after digression |
epanorthosis | retraction of statement in order to intensify it |
epexegesis | addition of words to make the sense more clear |
epibole | device of beginning several clauses with same word |
epilogue | rhetorical conclusion or summary |
epiphonema | exclamation, finishing phrase or reflection |
epiphora | rhetorical repetition of a word at the end of several sentences |
epiplexis | persuasion through stylized but severe criticism of opponent |
epiploce | use of multiple entwined points in succession in an argument |
epistrophe | ending of successive clauses with the same word |
epitrope | rhetorical but ironic granting of permission to an opponent to do something |
epizeuxis | immediate repetition of a word for emphasis |
erotesis | rhetorical questioning |
ethopoeia | delineation of the character of someone or something |
euphemism | rhetorical use of a pleasant or favourable form in place of a harsh one |
exergasia | remaining on one point of argument while gradually fleshing it out |
gemination | doubling of a consonant sound; in rhetoric, repetition of a word or phrase |
hendiadys | expression of adjective and noun as two adjectives |
heterosis | use of one form of a noun or pronoun in place of another for rhetorical effect |
homeoteleuton | the use or occurrence of similar word endings |
homoeoptoton | use of series of words sharing the same verb or noun inflections |
hypallage | figure in which relations between words are changed |
hyperbaton | rhetorical device in which word order is reversed |
hyperbole | impression by extravagant exaggeration |
hypercatalectic | having an extra syllable on the end of a line of verse |
hypobole | anticipating and refuting objections to an argument |
hypophora | statement of an opponent’s probable but as yet unstated objection |
hypostrophe | return to primary argument after digression |
hypotyposis | vivid description of a scene |
hysteron proteron | in rhetoric, putting first what normally comes last |
ischiorrhogic | of an iambic line, having spondees in the second, fourth or sixth place |
lemma | preliminary proposition, theme, argument or headword |
litotes | understatement by affirming using negation of the contrary |
macrology | much talk with little to say; redundancy; pleonasm |
meiosis | understatement of size or importance for rhetorical effect |
merism | rhetorical device of contrasting two parts of a whole |
mesozeugma | placement of a word referring to two different clauses between them |
metabasis | transition; transfer; in rhetoric, movement from one topic to another |
metalepsis | metonymy of a double or indirect kind |
metaphor | figurative transfer of qualities from one object or event to another |
metaphrase | turning of prose into verse or vice versa |
metastasis | removal from one place to another; rapid transition in argument |
metonymy | figurative use of word to name an attribute of its subject |
mimesis | rhetorical imitation of another’s words or mannerisms |
mycterism | sneering; rhetorical sarcasm or irony |
noema | stating something obscurely, forcing listeners to work it out |
oxymoron | figure of speech combining contradictory terms |
palillogy | repetition of a word or word or phrase |
parabola | rhetorical use of simile or metaphor |
paradiastole | description of an unfavourable quality through a favourable synonym |
paradigma | rhetorical comparison by resemblance to another thing |
paraenesis | rhetorical expression of advice or warning |
paragram | play on words in which letters are changed |
paralipsis | fixing attention on subject by pretending to neglect it |
paranomasia | rhetorical art of punning |
parathesis | apposition; compounding of words without change |
parecbasis | rhetorical digression or deviation from expected topic |
paregmenon | repetition of a word or its cognates in a series of words |
parembole | insertion of something related to the subject into a phrase |
paremptosis | insertion of something related to the subject into a phrase |
parison | even balance of elements in a sentence |
paroemia | proverb or adage used in argumentation |
paromoion | starting statement with several words starting with the same letter |
paromologia | partial admission of opponent’s argument to strengthen one’s final position |
parrhesia | asking forgiveness in advance for frank or bold speech |
pathopoeia | excitation of passion by rhetoric or poetry |
periergia | use of elevated style to discuss a trivial matter |
periphrasis | circumlocution; round-about expression |
perissology | verbiage; pleonasm |
pleonasm | redundancy; use of more words than necessary |
ploce | repetition of word in more expressive sense for emphasis |
polyptoton | repetition of word in same sentence with multiple inflectional endings |
polysyndeton | rhetorical device of repeating conjunction for emphasis |
preterition | passing over or omission; drawing attention to a thing by claiming to omit it |
procatalepsis | anticipating and answering an opponent’s objections |
prolepsis | anticipation; device where objections are anticipated |
pronomination | description of a thing by its qualities rather than its proper name |
prosopopoeia | personification; representation of absent person as speaking |
protasis | first clause in a conditional expression; introductory part of a play |
prothysteron | putting last what normally comes first in an expression or argument |
protozeugma | zeugma in which word referring to two clauses is placed before both of them |
schesis | deriding opponent’s argument by referring to his way of thought |
simile | comparison of two things |
sorites | string of statements where end of one is subject of next |
superjection | exaggeration; hyperbole |
syllepsis | figure where word related to two others differently |
syllogism | argument in which two premises lead to a logical conclusion |
symploce | repetition of word at start of one and end of next clause |
synchoresis | concession made for the sake of more effective retort |
synchysis | confusion of meaning due to unusual arrangement |
syncrisis | comparison of diverse or contradictory things |
syndeton | phrase whose parts are joined by a conjunction |
synecdoche | part used to refer to whole or vice versa |
synoeciosis | rhetorical figure of coupling opposites |
tapinosis | use of degrading or diminutive diction regarding a topic |
tmesis | separation of word into parts by an intervening word |
trope | any figure of speech; figurative language |
tuism | apostrophe; reference to or regard to a second person |
zeugma | use of a word to modify two or more words in different ways |